USA Disability News

US Disability News Stories

American Health Care - United States health care is provided by many individuals and legal entities. Individuals are offered inpatient and outpatient services by commercial, charitable, or governmental entities. The American health care system is not fully publicly funded it includes a mix of public and private funding. The U.S. today spends more on health care per capita than any other nation in the world, in 2007, the U.S. spent a projected $2.26 trillion on health care, or $7,439 per person. Americans without health insurance coverage in 2007 totaled about 45.7 million people, or 15.3% of the U.S. population. Hospitals in America include for-profit hospitals, usually operated by large private corporations, and nonprofit hospitals, operated by county governments, state governments, religious orders, or independent nonprofit organizations. Out of 191 countries The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000 ranked the U.S.A. health care system first in both responsiveness and expenditure, 37th in overall performance, and 72nd by overall level of health. The average American life expectancy is 77.8 years.

What is the ADA? - The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush. The ADA is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. Disability is defined as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity." The ADA covers five sections, Title I - Employment, Title II - Public Services including public transportation, Title III - Public Accommodations including Commercial Facilities, Title IV - Telecommunications, and Title V - Miscellaneous Provisions.

Seniors - What is the retirement age for Americans? If you were born before 1938, your "full retirement age" is 65. The full retirement age is 66 for people born in 1943-1954 and will gradually increase to 67 for people born in 1960 or later. You can start your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the amount you receive each month will be less than if you wait until full retirement age. What does this mean? A U.S. citizen retiring today must be 65 years and four months to get full benefits. The oldest baby boomers, or those born in 1946, will get full benefits at age 66. The youngest, born in 1960 or after, must wait until age 67. More than half of workers start collecting Social Security benefits at 62 because the Social Security system encourages it. An American who retires at age 62 gets more in lifetime benefits, this is despite a 20% reduction in monthly benefits, because by getting more monthly payments you are paying lower taxes. If you are a United States citizen, you can travel or live in most foreign countries without affecting your eligibility for Social Security benefits.

Further Information Regarding USA Disability News

Senate Health Bill Raises Taxes on Families of Special Needs Children
There is one group of FSA owners for whom this new cap will be particularly cruel and onerous: parents of special needs children.

$2.6 Billion to Help Low-Income Households with Energy Costs this Winter
HHS Provides More Than $2.6 Billion to States to Help Low-Income Households with Energy Costs.

Defense Department Officials Salute Severely Disabled Employees
Senior Defense Department officials recognized the work and contributions made by disabled contract employees during a ceremony held at the Pentagon conference center yesterday.

AMA Disappointed Senate Failed Seniors, Baby Boomers and Military Families by Blocking S. 1776
AMA Deeply Disappointed Senate Has Failed Seniors, Baby Boomers and Military Families by Blocking S. 1776.

Disabled and Elderly California Residents Saved from Cut in Benefits
130,000 disabled and elderly California residents breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday as a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against a measure that would have slashed their health benefits dramatically beginning as early as Nov 1st.

Collegiate Inventors Competition Winners Announced
A faster tool for cell programming and a new way of allowing quadriplegics to perform simple tasks have won grand prizes of the 2009 Collegiate Inventors Competition, a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame sponsored by the Abbott Fund, the non-profit foundation of the global health care company Abbott, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Crisis for Non-Profit Disabilities Services in Illinois
The state of Illinois is currently experiencing a financial crisis that is greatly affecting non-profit organizations that offer services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities, such as Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc.

Enable America Endorses Employment for People with Disabilities
Enable America, a non-profit devoted to improving employment for disabled veterans and others with disabilities, is applauding new initiatives announced by President Barack Obama, that will open new opportunities for employment.

United States Mint Releases Braille Education Set
The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's leading advocate for Braille, is pleased to announce that the United States Mint released today the limited edition Braille Education Set.

Arizona Disability Advocate to Receive Community Health Leaders Award
Arizona disability advocate among 10 Americans to receive national award - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation presents 2009 Community Health Leaders Award to David Carey in recognition of his service to people with disabilities.

Helen Keller's Statue Will Stand as a Testament to Her Strength
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Congressional leaders spoke at a ceremony this morning in the Capitol Rotunda to unveil a statue of Helen Keller. The statue will become part of the National Statuary Hall Collection, which is comprised of two statues from each state to honor notable men and women.

Martha Stewart Empire Sued After Terminating Disabled Employee
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. allegedly violated federal, state, and city laws when it fired an employee who became disabled after a motor vehicle accident, according to the law firm Outten & Golden LLP.

Win a Buddy 50 Scooter at Colorado Arc Thrift Stores
During the entire month of October, participants can enter-to-win one of four fuel-efficient "Buddy 50" scooters by visiting any of the 19 Arc Thrift Store locations throughout Metro Denver, Northern and Southern Colorado, or by entering online.

Obama Announces New Initiatives During National Disability Employment Awareness Month
President Obama announced that his Administration is taking several steps to ensure that there is fair and equal access to employment for all Americans, particularly the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. The announcement comes during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

National Council on Disability Monthly Bulletin - September 2009
National Council on Disability's monthly bulletin for September 2009. This report focuses the nation's attention on the health care disparities experienced by people with disabilities, and provides information and recommendations that can help to eliminate health care inequities for people with disabilities.

59% Support Massachusetts Health Reform Law
A new poll by the Harvard School of Public Health and The Boston Globe finds 59% of Massachusetts residents who are aware of the state's health reform legislation, which was enacted in 2006, support it. A little more than one in four oppose it (28%), and 13% are not sure.

Schwarzenegger Honors Mother-In-Law While Cutting Vital Services
Advocates for seniors and people with disabilities spoke out against the Governor on Friday in response to statements he made in an LA Times story that ran earlier that morning and further comments he made on Twitter.

$650 Million Recovery Act Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative
Creating ways for healthful lifestyle habits to be the natural first choice for Americans is the goal of a $650 million initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, decrease obesity, and decrease smoking in U.S. communities.

Study Aims to Prevent Firefighter Injuries
A collaborative research study with the University of Waterloo, the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Athletes' Performance, and the Pensacola Fire Department began in April to collect biomechanical data that may identify the potential for injury and help reduce the probability.

National Council on Disability Monthly Bulletin - August 2009
National Council on Disability's monthly bulletin for August 2009. The Bulletin brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities.

US Signing of UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Statement by Kathleen G. Sebelius Secretary of Health and Human Services On US Signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The United States joins 141other nations who have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

National Council on Disability Monthly Bulletin - July 2009
Under Assistant Secretary Martinez's direction, ODEP will provide national leadership on disability employment policy by developing and influencing the use of evidence-based disability employment policies and practices, building collaborative partnerships, and delivering authoritative and credible data on employment of people with disabilities.

Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Call for End to Institution Only Options
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, Disabled In Action of PA, the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumer Association, Liberty Resources and numerous advocacy and disability rights organizations held a press conference and rally at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, site of the National Conference of State Legislators' summer meeting.

President Obama's Intention to Sign the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD), representing a broad constituency of Americans with disabilities and disability organizations, praises Monday's announcement of President Barack Obama's intention to sign the international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Friday, July 24, 2009 at the White House.

Walmart Foundation Commits $500,000 to Improving Emergency Preparedness for the 54 Million Americans with Disabilities
With hurricane season underway, emergency preparedness is on everyone's minds, but often, the needs of the disabled population - 54 million Americans - are not adequately addressed. Today, the Walmart Foundation furthered its commitment to local disaster relief by announcing a $500,000 grant to the National Organization on Disability's Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI), which advocates for people with disabilities as a central component of emergency preparedness plans, while also working to ensure that people with disabilities take steps to prepare themselves.

National Council on Disability Monthly Bulletin June 2009
The National Council on Disability brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. In this report, NCD offers information and advice to assist all levels of government in its work to establish evidence-based policies, programs and practices across the lifecycle of disasters.

State Experts Discuss Health Care Reform Efforts and Lessons at PFCD Event
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) today held a Capitol Hill briefing to discuss comprehensive state health care reform efforts, why some succeeded and others failed, and why focusing on reducing the burden of chronic disease should be at the center of our national effort to reform health care.

National Coalition Hosts Event to Examine Costs Savings Through Delivery System Reform
Today during a Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease policy briefing on Capitol Hill, health care experts emphasized that making improvements to the health care delivery system is critical to address the number one driver of cost, disability and death within the health care system: preventable and poorly managed chronic illnesses.

Disability Activist Urges Obama to Escalate Stem Cell Research
Cody Unser, a 22-year-old student at University of Redlands and head of the Cody Unser First Step Foundation, commends President Obama for acknowledging in yesterday's town hall meeting the financial hardships of Americans living with disabilities and now strongly urges for rapid acceleration of stem cell research so that a cure can be found for paralysis.

$500 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Improve Health Care and Boost Economy in Indian Country
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today that the Indian Health Service (IHS) will release $500 million allocated for improvements in Indian health in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

HensonFuerst Cycling Team Pedals for a Cure
Led by team captain Thomas Henson Jr., the HensonFuerst Cycling Team will be riding in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure in Cary, North Carolina, on Saturday, June 6, 2009.

Disability Discrimination by the City of Baltimore, Maryland
The Justice Department today announced it has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Baltimore alleging that the city of Baltimore's zoning code discriminates against individuals with disabilities by requiring substance abuse treatment facilities to go through a burdensome "conditional ordinance" zoning process in order to locate in any zone.

National Disability Leaders Historic Meeting at White House
President Obama invited CEOs from the Nation's top disability organizations, including Paul J. Tobin, United Spinal Association's President (www.unitedspinal.org), to participate in a White House briefing on the Administration's disability policy initiatives, and budget and recovery plans.

Center Aimed at Combating Infectious Diseases
Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Washington, along with a number of partner institutions across the Northwest, have received federal funding to form a regional research center aimed at combating emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases that pose a serious threat to human health.

United Spinal Praises Signing of Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act
President Obama signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act that will improve the quality of life for people living with paralysis and mobility impairments from any cause - stroke, ALS, spinal cord injuries, and others.

Time of Conception Linked to U.S. Birth Defects
A study published in the April 2009 issue of the medical journal Acta Paediatrica is the first to report that birth defect rates in the United States were highest for women conceiving in the spring and summer. The researchers also found that this period of increase risk correlated with increased levels of pesticides in surface water across the United States.

National Council on Disability Bulletin for March 2009
On March 4, NCD released a report recommending changes in the continuum of health care provided to service members and veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The report, Invisible Wounds: Serving Service Members and Veterans with PTSD and TBI...

National Council on Disability - Employment of People with Disabilities
The National Council on Disability (NCD) will conduct a news conference to highlight the release of a policy paper examining the status of employment of people with disabilities in the Federal Government and making recommendations for improving federal hiring and advancement of employees with disabilities.

AAPD Gala to Honor Emerging Leaders in Disability Community
Luminaries from the disability and business communities and government will gather March 4 to celebrate three emerging disability rights leaders at the annual American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Leadership Gala at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.

March proclaimed Disability Awareness Month
Gov. Mitch Daniels has proclaimed March as Disability Awareness Month in the state of Indiana. Each March, thousands of Hoosiers come together to celebrate diversity for people with disabilities - which comprise more than 1 million people statewide.

Stimulus Bill and Disability Funding Amounts
Fortunately, the Senate rejected the proposed withdrawal of funding for special education, vocational rehabilitation, and independent living programs. These are the highlights of President Barack Obama $787 billion stimulus package effecting people with disabilities.

Industry Leaders Discuss Accessibility Strategies at ATIA Leadership Forum
Top leaders from some of the nation's most prominent corporations and government agencies gathered in Orlando, January 29 - 30, for the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Leadership Forum on Accessibility, an annual two-day event that discusses business strategies regarding the implementation of accessibility solutions for persons with disabilities and age-related impairments.

McNeese State University in Lawsuit
As the nation discusses Governor Palin's special needs child and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008, Disabled World would like to bring to your attention an interesting case involving discrimination against the disabled by a public university in the deep south of Louisiana.